I reached the lobby of my building, which was consumed with controlled chaos. Small groups of men were gathered, talking quietly. On my way to the elevator, I could make out pieces of multiple conversations. I overheard a group talkingabout making up a schedule to ensure there was enough coverage for any students in need. All of our third- and fourth-year students had been here when Jesse Kendricks had been here. I abandoned waiting for the elevator and walked toward the group discussing a schedule.
“Hello, Atlas.”
“Hello, gentlemen. I’m available to help where needed. Especially with Louis’ lad.”
“Thank you, Atlas. We’ll get you in the rotation and send the schedule out via email.”
I nodded and walked back to the elevator lobby. Moments after I pressed the button to call the lift, the bell dinged and opened behind me. On the ride up to the fifth floor, I checked my phone for any new texts. There wasn’t anything new from Will, but the Omnia Academy council had sent out texts to faculty and staff about additional safety measures. I made a quick stop to my penthouse just long enough to drop my bag off, then I headed next door to see Louis.
I knocked on Louis’ door twice before he finally answered. He stepped back and opened the door all the way so I could step inside.
“I figured it would be you,” he said as he closed the door behind me. His tone straddled the line between being bored and preoccupied. Louis often sounded bored, but he was sharp and quick with sarcasm that could come across in a dull tone.
I stepped inside, and as I followed him to the living room, I glanced around for any obvious signs that my friend was losing it. Thankful that I didn’t see empty liquor bottles strewn around the coffee table or on the floor, I felt safe in taking on a sarcastic tone with him.
“Of course it was going to be me. Aren’t I your only friend?” I asked. I gave him a small smile. Given the circumstances, the smile reinforced that he was still one of the most importantpeople in my life, and that even though the situation was terrible, our dynamic and friendship was still firmly in place.
“You are one of my only friends, yes. Come on in and have a seat.”
Louis flopped down on his dark-brown leather couch, propped his elbow up on the armrest, and leaned his head against his hand. I sat in the chair beside the couch and studied him. He looked like hell with his tired, swollen eyes. The silence must have gotten to him because he quickly spoke up.
“Forgive my lack of manners, Atlas. Want a drink?”
I smiled again and shook my head.
“No, thank you. And you know you don’t have to play host with me. You never have,” I teased him lightly. “Besides, I know where the drinks are if I want one.”
“True, my friend. True.” Louis laughed quietly and turned his head to look out his floor-to-ceiling windows. He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. “Is this a wellness check? Did the council send you and ask you to report back to them if I was fit to carry out my duties at the moment or if I need time?”
“Nope, this is me being here all on my own. I was finishing up a lecture when Vetter appeared toward the end of class. After the class was dismissed, he told me what happened.” I leaned back against the chair cushion. “And you know damn well that if you need time, there is absolutely no shame in that.”
“Did he tell you that none of the news reports are even mentioning Jesse? As if it were only Gerald who was killed.”
“He didn’t say, but I glanced at the news on my phone while I made my way over.”
“It’s like Jesse was a ghost. You ever think about what the fuck we’re doing here, Atlas? We’re guiding exceptional young men to become invisible helpers for powerful fucks. They’re just numbers. They devote their lives to these Kings, and forwhat? To not even be mentioned as having existed when they’re murdered.”
“Okay, now I’m wondering if the delay in answering the door was so you could stash the empty liquor bottles and swish mouthwash.”
“Atlas,” he chided.
“You know that anyone associated with this academy or the Kings is bound to the Reges Dei Society. You took an oath. I took an oath. Jesse took an oath, Louis.”
“He was only twenty-eight.”
“And he was loved fiercely by Gerald. You know how happy he was with Gerald.”
Louis nodded, knowing there was truth in my words. He rubbed his forehead and slouched on the couch to let his head rest against the cushion.
“His mother and father are probably sick.”
“Jesse wasn’t forced into this. He made his decision.”
“He did, yes. And it doesn’t make this feel any better.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Louis.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
